UAAP: Veejay Pre commits to UP after FEU departure

UP Fighting Maroons’ assistant coach Tom Chua, transferee Veejay Pre, head coach Goldwin Monteverde. –HANDOUT PHOTO/OASD

MANILA, Philippines—The Veejay Pre sweepstakes are officially over, and the University of the Philippines came out on top.

On Friday, the Fighting Maroons officially unveiled Pre as the squad’s newest member in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

READ: UAAP: Veejay Pre leaves FEU, says family ‘only wants best for me’

The development came just two days after Pre revealed his decision to leave Far Eastern University in shocking fashion.

“We know what Veejay’s capable of. He’ll be a huge help for us with his all-around game,” said coach Goldwin Monteverde in a press release.

Despite the rumor mill swirling for some time, UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol clarified that the Fighting Maroons had not pursued Pre before his departure from the Tamaraws.

“What’s fortunate about all this is, we weren’t there when the reports and rumors began. We respected FEU and we just talked to Veejay when he decided to leave FEU,” clarified Perasol.

READ: UAAP: Veejay Pre begs to stay in FEU amid ‘family pressure’

Pre, the UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year, said Wednesday night that his decision to leave FEU stemmed from his parents, who “only want the best” for him.

The dynamic forward averaged 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game last season, helping the Tamaraws to a 5–9 record.

Pre will sit out Season 88 for a residency year before becoming eligible to play two seasons under the Katipunan banner.